JP4910034B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile , and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with an in-machine environment adjustment device for adjusting the in-machine environment .

  With the recent widespread use of image forming apparatuses, the use environment of the apparatus has become widespread, and performance maintenance under various use environments is required. In particular, in a general image forming apparatus using an electrostatic latent image, there is a possibility that image quality is deteriorated or an abnormal image is generated when the ambient temperature and humidity surrounding the apparatus are excessive. For example, toner sticking or cleaning blade turning in a high temperature environment, charging failure in a low temperature and low humidity environment, and abnormalities due to condensation in a high humidity environment.

  Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the influence of environmental changes from each environmental state to another environment. For this reason, the following prior art discloses a technique that always provides a stable image by providing a device or mechanism for adjusting temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus.

  On the other hand, the operating environment of most image forming apparatuses is a stable environment generally called an office environment or an environment similar to that environment, and the usage environment that requires the above-described configuration for temperature or humidity adjustment is as follows. There are few from the ratio of the whole. For this reason, if a mechanism for adjusting temperature and humidity is provided in the image forming apparatus, the size of the apparatus is increased and the cost is increased, which is useless when used in the office environment described above or a general environment similar to an office. It was a thing.

  However, as described above, the number of cases where it is used outside the general environment is increasing, and at present, it is possible to form a high-quality image even in a poor use environment without causing an increase in size and cost. A device is sought.

  Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the in-machine environment of the image forming apparatus used in such an inferior use environment, but the environment in which the above-mentioned in-machine environment adjustment apparatus is necessary is different from the general office environment. There are often. For example, an environment with severe temperature conditions is a place that is easily affected by outside air in a building, and in such a place, the influence of dust and exhaust gas is large.

  Further, in a low temperature environment, there is a high possibility that the user is near a heater using fossil fuel used for heating, and it is easily affected by NOx. Furthermore, when it is installed close to an air cleaner using ozone, it is necessary to consider its influence.

  Such a poor environment has the same influence on not only an image forming apparatus that forms an image but also an image reading apparatus that reads an original image.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to enable high-quality image formation even in a poor use environment without causing an increase in size or an increase in cost.

  Another object is to enable high-quality image formation even when the reading device is exposed to a poor use environment.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
An optical unit that emits laser light for image formation; and
A photosensitive drum on which a latent image is formed by the laser beam;
A developing unit for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum;
A belt transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a transfer member and then transfers the toner image from the transfer member to a sheet member;
In an image forming apparatus having an in-machine environment adjusting device for adjusting the in-machine environment,
The photosensitive drum and the developing unit are integrally formed as a process cartridge, and four process cartridges are arranged in a row in an oblique direction so as to form toner images of four different colors.
The optical unit is arranged in an inclined manner in line with the four process cartridges so as to form a latent image by irradiating each of the four photosensitive drums with the laser light,
The irradiation with the laser light is performed through a space that directly communicates with the surface of each photosensitive drum in each of the four process cartridges .
The in-flight environment adjusting device has an air flow path portion through which an air flow passes, and a fan motor that is provided to communicate with the air flow path portion and generates the air flow,
The air flow path portion is disposed between the image forming apparatus main body and the openable / closable operation cover so as to incline four openings communicating with a space that directly communicates with the surface of each of the photosensitive drums. The image forming apparatus is supported and attached so as to be swingable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.

  The thirty-seventh means is characterized in that in the thirty-sixth means, the heating means constitutes a unit comprising a heating part and a temperature detection part.

  The thirty-eighth means is characterized in that, in the thirty-sixth or thirty-seventh means, the plurality of types of units having different outputs of the heating section of the heating means have the same shape.

  A thirty-ninth means is characterized in that, in any of the thirty-sixth to thirty-eighth means, an openable and closable opening for attaching and detaching the heating means is provided on the outer periphery of the image reading means.

  The fortyth means is the thirty-seventh or thirty-eighth means, wherein the operation of the heating unit is switched according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit.

  The forty-first means is characterized in that, in any of the thirty-sixth to forty-first means, the heating means operates only when the power of the image forming apparatus is cut off.

  The forty-second means is any one of the thirty-sixth, thirty-seventh, thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth and forty-first means, wherein the heating means operates in synchronism with the in-machine environment adjusting device.

  The forty-third means is characterized in that, in any of the thirty-sixth to forty-second means, power is supplied to the heating means from the in-machine environment adjusting device.

  In a forty-fourth means, a photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the surface of the photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive member are housed in a single housing. In the process cartridge for forming an electrostatic latent image on the body surface, a bypass airflow path is provided in the housing.

  A forty-fifth means is characterized in that, in the forty-fourth means, an opening for introducing the airflow of the bypass airflow path is provided in a side surface portion of the casing to which the photosensitive member is rotatably attached. To do.

  A forty-sixth means is characterized in that, in the forty-fourth or forty-fifth means, the gap for performing optical writing from the outside functions as an inlet or outlet for airflow.

According to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily adjust the flight environment, yet it is possible that high-quality image formation in poor use environment without increasing the expansion and cost size.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a plan view of an image forming apparatus provided with a temperature adjustment unit. FIG. It is a top view of the image forming apparatus provided with the humidity adjustment unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a ventilation path around a photosensitive unit (process cartridge). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the photosensitive unit (process cartridge) in FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge including a developing unit in which a toner supply mechanism is attached to a photoconductor unit. It is an enlarged view of the attachment part of a temperature control unit. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of temperature (humidity) adjustment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example which attached the adjustment unit to the operation cover. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the adjustment unit is attached to the image forming apparatus in a state where the adjustment unit can be rotated about a pivot point. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the airflow purification | cleaning part in the airflow direction direction downstream of the temperature adjustment unit. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the airflow purification | cleaning part in the airflow intake opening vicinity from the outside of the bypass airflow path | route of a temperature control unit. It is a figure which shows the example which provided the airflow purification part so that attachment or detachment was possible with respect to the bypass airflow path | route of a temperature control unit. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the connection relation of the heating apparatus and image reading part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted | wore the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment with the image forming apparatus PR shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation rule of ON-OFF control of the heating part of a heating apparatus. It is a figure which shows each operation | movement timing of an image forming apparatus, an image reading part, and a heating apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention using a general electrophotographic system.

  In this image forming apparatus PR, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by the laser light emitted from the optical unit 1, and toner is placed on the drum using the developing unit 3 (M, C, Y, BK). In the transfer unit 4 having a transfer belt, the image is transferred to a sheet member 7 (a sheet member conveyed from the sheet feed tray 7a or 7b via the registration roller 5). However, the image forming apparatus may be an indirect transfer type image forming apparatus in which a developed image is transferred to a transfer member and then transferred from the transfer member to the sheet member. The toner image is fixed to the sheet member by being conveyed to the fixing device 8 and melting and pressurizing the toner. It is discharged from the discharge tray 11.

  The housing of the image forming apparatus PR is provided with an intake portion 12 and an exhaust portion 13, and an air flow (ventilation) path 14 (see FIG. 2) is formed from the intake portion 12 to the exhaust portion 13. Exhaust the air in the housing with an exhaust fan. In the middle of the ventilation path 14, there is an image forming unit comprising the optical unit 1, the photoconductor unit 6 having the photoconductor 2 in the configuration, the developing unit 3, the transfer unit 4, and the heat fixing unit 8. Has been placed. By providing the air flow path 14 for ventilating the inside of the housing in this way, an air flow 14a in the apparatus is generated as shown in FIG. 2 to cool the units 3, 4, 6 and 8 and remove dust.

  1 is provided with bypass airflow paths 15 and 17 that merge with the airflow path 14 in the image forming apparatus PR as shown in the plan views of FIGS. The bypass airflows 15 a and 17 a are respectively sent to the bypass airflow paths 15 and 17 and exhausted from the exhaust unit 13.

  At this time, a part of the bypass air flow paths 15 and 17 is configured to be detachable inside the operation cover (front door) CV of the image forming apparatus PR as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, it is configured to blow air in the depth direction of the apparatus. Further, the temperature adjustment unit 16 is provided by providing the unit with an outside air temperature adjustment unit 21 that provides an outside air temperature adjustment function.

  In the temperature adjustment unit 16, a blower unit 20, an outside air temperature adjustment unit 21, and a temperature detection unit 22 are provided in this order along the airflow direction, and the outside air sent into the temperature adjustment unit 16 by the blower unit 20 is provided. The temperature adjusting unit 21 adjusts the temperature to a desired temperature and sends out the airflow as bypass airflows 15a and 17a. At that time, the outside air temperature adjustment unit 21 is controlled by a control circuit (not shown) so as to reach a desired temperature according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 22.

  The outside air temperature adjustment unit 21 uses, for example, a Peltier element, and has functions of heating, cooling, and dehumidification by combining the Peltier element and the direction of current application. Since the temperature adjusting mechanism and the humidity adjusting mechanism using the Peltier element are known techniques, explanations thereof are omitted here. Note that the temperature adjustment unit 16 in this embodiment is a combination of Peltier elements so as to have heating and cooling functions, and does not have a dehumidifying function here.

  By configuring the temperature adjustment unit 16 in this manner, the temperature adjustment unit 16 is used in an office environment or an office-like environment. In particular, when the temperature adjustment function is unnecessary, the temperature adjustment unit 16 is used without being provided. Only when it is used, the temperature adjustment unit 16 is attached to a predetermined portion inside the operation cover CR as shown in FIG. 10, for example, and the outside air is adjusted to a temperature suitable for image formation and then introduced into the apparatus. An image forming apparatus capable of forming a good image regardless of the environment can be provided.

  As described above, the temperature adjustment unit 16 is handled as an option, and can be purchased and used only by a user who uses it in a high temperature environment or a low temperature environment. At that time, the image forming apparatus PR main body to which the temperature adjustment unit 16 is attached may be arranged in advance as a component only for a part of the bypass airflow path 17, and after entering the market, the parts are attached to the image forming apparatus PR main body. It is possible to save the trouble of mounting or changing the arrangement of parts.

  2 and 3, if a humidity adjustment unit 16a having a humidity adjustment function and a humidity detection unit 22a are attached in place of the temperature adjustment unit 16, the humidity suitable for image formation of outside air in a high or low humidity environment. It can be introduced into the device after adjustment. Also in this case, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming a good image regardless of the environment even in an environment where the influence of humidity is large.

  In this humidity adjustment unit 16a, a humidity adjustment unit 21a is used instead of the temperature adjustment unit 21, and a Peltier element is used as described above. The temperature / humidity adjustment unit 16b may be used instead of the humidity adjustment unit 16a, and the temperature / humidity detection unit 22b may be used instead of the humidity detection unit 22a. Adjustable combination and control.

  If the temperature / humidity adjustment unit 16b is attached in this manner, an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately dealing with both the temperature environment and the humidity environment can be obtained.

  Note that at least two of the temperature adjustment unit 16, the humidity adjustment unit 16a, and the temperature / humidity adjustment unit 16b are prepared, and even when an arbitrary unit is selected, the image forming apparatus configuration can be detachable without any change. it can. Specifically, this can be achieved by changing the functions of the units 16, 16 a, 16 b with the same external shape and fixing method for each unit, and changing only the configuration within the unit. As a result, it is possible to finely and optimally cope with various environments surrounding the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, if the bypass air flow paths 15 and 17 are provided in a unit related to electrostatic imaging, the temperature and humidity adjustment by the temperature and humidity adjustment unit 16b is efficiently performed on a unit that is susceptible to temperature and humidity. be able to.

  Further, the bypass air flow path 17 can be provided in, for example, the photoconductor unit 6 or the process cartridge 30 including at least the photoconductor unit 6 and the developing unit 3. Examples of this are shown in FIGS. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing the relationship between the process cartridge 30 and the outlet 16-1 of the temperature control unit 16, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 30, and FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this example, the bypass air flow 15 a is introduced directly into the process cartridge 30 with the air outlet 16-1 of the temperature adjustment unit 16 facing the opening 30-1 of the process cartridge 30. did. Thereby, the temperature and / or humidity can be easily adjusted inside the process cartridge 30.

  The process cartridge 30 is provided with the bypass air flow path 17 because the photosensitive unit 6 or the process cartridge 30 has a cleaning unit 23 including a cleaning blade and a cleaning brush with the photosensitive member 2 as a central component as shown in FIG. This is because the charging unit 24 is provided and the unit is easily affected by temperature or humidity. This is because if the bypass air flow 15a directly acts on such a unit, the effect of adjusting the temperature or humidity is great. This is readily understood when compared to the prior art where no bypass airflow path is provided.

  Further, since the developing unit 3 is disposed close to the photoreceptor unit 2 in terms of its function, the effect of adjusting temperature and / or humidity on the developing unit 3 can be obtained by flowing an adjusted airflow through the photoreceptor unit 2. Get higher. Needless to say, when the developing unit 3 is incorporated in the structure of the process cartridge 30 as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 3a denotes a toner container.

  In this embodiment, the bypass airflow path is provided inside the process cartridge 30 as shown in FIG. 4, and the bypass airflow 17a is introduced from the opening 30-1 as described above. As can be seen, the exposure path 25 does not have a shield so as not to block the laser, and is a space that directly leads to the surface of the photosensitive member 2, so that the bypass air flow introduced from the opening 30-1. 17a flows smoothly and can sufficiently act on the photoreceptor unit 2 and the charging unit 24.

  As described above, the temperature adjustment unit 16, the humidity adjustment unit 16a, and the temperature / humidity adjustment unit 16b are detachable from the operation cover CV of the image forming apparatus PR, and image formation is performed on the condition that the units 16, 16a, and 16b are not necessary. When the apparatus PR is used, it is necessary to face the outlet 16-1 of each of the units 16, 16a, 16b as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, an opening 19 is provided in the side plate 18a of the facing portion. When the units 16, 16 a, and 16 b are not attached to the opening 19, dust enters from the opening 19, or dust containing toner is discharged from each unit that performs image formation. Become. Since such a state is not preferable for the machine and the installation environment, it is preferable that the opening 19 is not provided.

  Therefore, a valve 18 that can be freely opened and closed is provided in the opening, and the valve 18 is opened only when the units 16, 16b, and 16c are attached, so that the bypass air flow path 17 functions. Here, the outlet 16-1 pushes the valve 18 by the attachment of the units 16, 16a, 16b so that the valve 18 is opened. However, the opening / closing operation is automatically performed using a solenoid or a motor. It is also good.

  As described above, in this embodiment, any one of the temperature adjustment unit 16, the humidity adjustment unit 16a, and the temperature / humidity adjustment unit 16b can be arbitrarily attached according to the use environment. At least one temperature sensor 33 and at least one humidity sensor 34 are provided inside the image forming apparatus PR. As a result, even when any of the units 16, 16a, 16b is attached to the apparatus, the outputs of the sensors 33, 34 are referred to and the units 16, 16a, 16b are referred to when adjustment is not necessary. It can be configured not to perform the operation.

  The control procedure in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this process, it is first determined whether or not the units 16, 16a and 16b are attached (step S1). If the units are not attached, the temperature / humidity control cannot be performed, and the process is terminated. If it is attached, it is determined from the output of the sensors 33 and 34 whether the in-machine temperature or the in-machine humidity is within a preset appropriate range (step S2). If it is not within the proper range, the unit 16, 16a, 16b is operated to return to step S2 to determine the proper range, and the process ends when the proper range is reached.

  Of course, when the unit is the temperature adjustment unit 16, only the temperature control is executed. When the unit is the humidity adjustment unit 16a, only the humidity control is executed, and when the unit is the temperature / humidity adjustment unit. The temperature and humidity control is executed.

  This control is executed by a control circuit as shown in FIG. In this control circuit, detection outputs from the in-machine temperature sensor 33, the in-machine humidity sensor 34, the temperature detection unit 22 and the humidity detection unit 22a are input to the control unit CR. The outside air temperature adjustment unit 21 and / or the outside air humidity adjustment unit 21a adjusts the temperature and / or humidity, drives the fan motor of the blower unit 20 to introduce the outside air, and the temperature inside the machine And / or adjust the humidity.

  Regarding the input / output between the image forming apparatus PR and the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b, the adjustment unit 16, 16a, 16b is attached by using at least two power sources for driving the unit and unit information signal lines. The control operation of the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b can be performed after the presence / absence determination and the determination of the types of the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b. Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which the temperature and humidity can be adjusted, unnecessary elements are omitted in the case of only temperature or humidity.

  The operation of each of the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b is configured to be performed independently regardless of the operation of the image forming apparatus PR. For example, the power supply can be supplied from a power supply circuit that is not cut off by the main power supply on the image forming apparatus side even when the image forming apparatus PR is turned off when the image forming apparatus is not used at night and on holidays. To do. As a result, even when the image forming apparatus is used at night or immediately after the holiday, drive control by the control unit CR of the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b is possible, and thus the temperature and humidity can be adjusted.

  In addition, the temperature detection part 22 and the humidity detection part 22a are provided in the flow direction downstream of the adjustment unit 16, 16a, 16b. As a result, the temperature / humidity of the adjusted air discharged from the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b can be detected, and the operation of the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b can be switched according to the detection result. Regardless of the operation / non-operation of the image forming apparatus PR, the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b can be operated in accordance with the outside air temperature environment.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b of the image forming apparatus PR shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are attached. As shown in the figure, the adjustment units 16, 16a and 16b are mounted on the back surface of the operation cover CV, and the process cartridges 30 of the respective colors are placed on the side plates 18a at positions facing the blowout ports 16-1 of the adjustment units 16, 16a and 16b. A bypass airflow is supplied to the corresponding opening 19 for each color. The bypass airflow passes through the bypass airflow path 17 for each color and is discharged outside the apparatus as shown in FIGS.

  Further, the adjustment unit 16, 16 a, 16 b is connected to the image forming apparatus PR via a connector 36 by a wiring 35 including the power supply line and the signal line.

  In the embodiments described so far, the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b are provided on the back surface of the operation cover CV of the image forming apparatus PR. However, as shown in FIG. It can also be configured to be attached. Also in this case, the air outlet 16-1 is inserted into the bypass airflow path 17 from the opening 19 formed in the side plate 18a at the time of setting, and the bypass airflow 17a can flow through the bypass airflow path 17.

  In general, when considering the configuration of the image forming apparatus PR and the arrangement of the bypass airflow path 17 in the present invention, the arrangement positions of the adjusting units 16, 16a, and 16b are positions that hinder unit replacement or cleaning work. For this reason, the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b are attached to the image forming apparatus PR in a state of being rotatable around the shaft fulcrum 16-2, and are in a state different from the operating state of the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b. It is possible to move to. Here, the holding is performed using the shaft fulcrum, but the same applies to the case where a plurality of shaft fulcrums are used or the slide member is used. With this configuration, when unit replacement or cleaning work is performed, the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b can be moved to positions that do not affect the work as in the case of being attached to the operation cover CV.

  In the description so far, any one of the outside air temperature adjustment unit 21, the humidity adjustment unit 21a, and the temperature / humidity adjustment unit 21b is provided in the bypass airflow path 15. However, as shown in FIG. The air flow purification unit 26 can be provided on the downstream side in the air flow direction of the bypass air flow path 15 of any one of 21b. This air flow purification unit 26 removes unsuitable substances contained in the air flow introduced into the machine from the bypass air flow path 15 and introduces the purified air stream into the machine to avoid problems caused by the unsuitable substances. It is. Inappropriate substances are, for example, dust including dust, ozone, nitrogen oxide (NOx), etc., and it is possible to introduce a purified airflow in addition to adjustment of temperature, humidity, etc., into the external environment. Regardless, the in-machine environment can be adjusted to a state suitable for image formation.

  As the air flow purification unit 26, a known air cleaning device such as a filter capable of taking in each of the substances, an electronic dust collecting dust collecting device, an ion generator or the like is employed.

  In FIG. 12, the air flow purification unit 26 is arranged downstream of any of the adjustment units 21, 21 a, 21 b provided in the adjustment unit 16 in the air flow direction, so that these in-machine environment adjustment units 21, 21 a, Although the influence of 21b can also be avoided, as shown in FIG. 13, the air flow purification part 26 can also be provided in the vicinity of the air flow intake port 27 from the outside to the bypass air flow path 15. In this case, it is possible to avoid the above-described inappropriate substances from affecting the devices of the in-machine environment adjusting units 21, 21a, and 21b.

  When the airflow purification unit 26 has a dust collecting function, the airflow purification is performed under a usage environment with a lot of dust (dust), and when the airflow purification unit 26 has an ozone removal function, under a usage environment with a high ozone concentration. When the unit 26 has a NOx removal function, it is possible to maintain the performance of the image forming apparatus in each use environment where the NOx concentration is high.

  Further, the air flow purification unit 26 is preferably configured to be attachable to and detachable from the bypass air flow path 15 of the adjustment unit 16 as shown in FIG. Thereby, it can be selected whether an airflow purification function is used according to a user's need. Further, when the air flow purification unit 26 is used, only the air flow purification unit 26 is replaced without replacing the entire on-board environment adjusting device even when the service life of the purification means of the air flow purification unit 26 has passed. It becomes possible to maintain the performance only by reducing the burden on the user. Needless to say, the air flow purification unit 26 can be attached to the adjustment unit 16 to form one unit.

  In this embodiment, the upper and lower members constituting the bypass airflow path 15 of the adjustment unit 16 are elastically sandwiched and fixed by elastic pieces 26a provided at the upper and lower parts of the main body of the airflow purification unit 26. Here, the structure is elastically sandwiched, but the fixing structure is not limited as long as the structure can be fixed so as to be detachable.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, there are the following effects.

1) Since a bypass airflow path that merges with a normal airflow path is provided inside the apparatus, and a detachable temperature adjustment unit 16, humidity adjustment unit 16a, or temperature / humidity adjustment unit 16b can be attached, the size and cost can be reduced. It is possible to cope with various atmosphere environments without causing an increase.

2) Since adjustment units 16, 16a and 16b having a plurality of different functions can be arbitrarily selected and attached, it is possible to efficiently cope with a wide environment.

3) The installation environment can be adjusted more efficiently by providing the bypass airflow path 17 in the unit related to image formation.

4) By providing the bypass airflow path 17 in the photosensitive unit, process cartridge, or writing exposure path, the environment can be adjusted more efficiently.

5) Since the opening / closing valve 18 is provided at the opening 19 formed at one end of the bypass airflow path 17, even if there is no adjustment unit 16, 16a, 16b, the airflow path of the apparatus main body is not adversely affected.

6) Since at least one temperature detection unit 22 and humidity detection unit 22a are provided in the apparatus, appropriate environmental adjustment can be performed according to the situation in the apparatus.

7) Since the input / output between the adjustment units 16, 16a and 16b and the apparatus main body is composed of at least the power source and the unit information signal line, more appropriate adjustment can be performed.

8) Since the operations of the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b can be performed independently of the operation / non-operation of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to adjust the in-machine environment even when the power of the image forming apparatus is OFF.

9) Since at least one temperature detection unit 22 is provided in the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b, it is possible to perform control according to the environmental state even when the power of the image forming apparatus is OFF.

10) Since the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b can be freely moved to a position different from the operating position, work such as replacement and cleaning is not hindered.

11) Since the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b are installed on the operation cover CV, the replacement and cleaning operations are not hindered, and the image forming unit can be replaced and the outside air can be easily taken in.

12) Since the air flow purification unit 26 is provided in the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b, it is possible to remove and introduce inappropriate substances contained in the air flow introduced from the bypass air flow path 15 into the machine. It is possible to avoid problems caused by the above.

13) By providing the air flow purification unit 26 downstream of the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b, it is possible to avoid the influence of the adjustment units 16, 16a, and 16b, and to provide an in-machine environment adjustment device with better purification performance. It becomes possible.

14) Since the air flow purification unit 26 is provided in the vicinity of the air flow intake port 27 from the outside of the machine to the bypass air flow path 15, it is possible to avoid that an inappropriate substance also affects the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b itself. It becomes.

15) Since the air flow purification unit 26 has a dust collecting function, it is possible to maintain the performance of the image forming apparatus even in a use environment with a lot of dust.

16) Since the air flow purification unit 26 has an ozone removal function, it is possible to maintain the performance of the image forming apparatus even in a use environment with a high ozone concentration.

17) Since the air flow purification unit 26 has a NOx removal function, it is possible to maintain the performance of the image forming apparatus even in a use environment with a high NOx concentration.

18) Since the air flow purification unit 26 is configured to be detachable from the bypass air flow path 15, only the air flow purification unit 26 is replaced without replacing the adjustment units 16, 16a, 16b even when the service life of the purification means has passed. It becomes possible to maintain performance by exchanging.

<Second Embodiment>
The first embodiment described above exemplifies an in-machine environment adjustment apparatus related to temperature and humidity for maintaining the performance of the image forming apparatus under various use environments, and an image forming apparatus having the apparatus. The first embodiment shows the configuration and effect of the printer form. However, when attention is paid to the copying machine, the image reading unit also generates condensation due to the environmental transition from the low temperature environment to the high temperature environment, There is a concern about the problem of abnormal images due to the occurrence of condensation in

  This is because, in general, components constituting the image reading unit are likely to cause condensation such as glass and mirrors and have a large quality deterioration due to condensation. Therefore, in the use environment of the image forming apparatus that requires the in-machine environment adjusting apparatus exemplified in the first embodiment, some measures are required for the image reading unit.

  Therefore, in this second embodiment, an abnormal image can be obtained by using the in-machine environment adjusting apparatus exemplified in the first embodiment for the image forming unit for the image forming apparatus having the in-machine environment adjusting apparatus and the image reading unit. However, the image reading means also avoids the occurrence of an abnormal image due to condensation and prevents the occurrence of an abnormal image.

  The detailed configuration of this embodiment is shown in FIG. Since the image forming apparatus PR itself is the same as that of the first embodiment, a duplicate description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the image reading unit SC is used by being mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus PR. The image reading unit SC guides the reflected light from the document irradiated from the light source 41 to the document placed on the document table 40 to the photoelectric conversion element 42 by the optical system 43, and converts the image information of the document into an electronic signal. While being able to get.

  As described above, the image reading unit SC scans the document and takes in the document information from the reflected light. Since there are many members of the optical system 43 such as the contact glass 40, the reflection mirror, and the condenser lens in the configuration, dew condensation occurs. It is likely to occur, and there is a high possibility that condensation will lead to loss of document information.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a heating device 44 that heats at least one of the optical system forming members of the image reading unit SC is provided. Accordingly, in an environment where the in-machine adjustment device is required, the optical system forming member can be heated also in the image reading unit SC, and the occurrence of condensation is avoided, and the image reading unit SC and the image It is possible to provide a good image forming apparatus in which defects such as abnormal images do not occur in both of the forming parts PR. The heating device 44 is provided below the scanning optical system.

  FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the heating means. In the figure, the heating device 44 is in the form of a unit comprising a heating unit 45 and a temperature detection unit 46, and the heating unit 45 and the temperature detection unit are connected to the connector 47 on the image reading unit SC side of the image forming apparatus PR. It can be operated simply by connecting the connector 48 of the unit composed of 46.

  The heating device 44 is preferably not installed in an unnecessary environment such as a normal office environment, but can be installed only when used in a low temperature environment or the like, like the in-machine environment adjusting device on the image forming apparatus PR side. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the downtime of the image forming apparatus at the customer site with a configuration that is as easy as possible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described connectors 47 and 48 are used for connection. With this configuration, the heating device 44 can be easily attached.

  The heating device 44 prepares a plurality of types of units having different outputs from the heating unit 45 and makes the shapes thereof the same. This makes it possible to install a heating device 44 having an appropriate output for various use environments, and the heating effect is insufficient because the environmental temperature is too low, or the heating output is not so low. Problems such as large power consumption can be avoided.

  Since the heating device 44 can be attached by the connectors 47 and 48 as shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, an openable and closable opening 49 is provided on the side surface of the image reading portion SC as shown in FIG. The heating device 44 is inserted from the opening 49 and connected to a connector (connector) 47 on the main body side. Thereby, the installation of the heating device 44 is facilitated, and the heating device 44 corresponding to the use environment can be easily attached.

  In this embodiment, the temperature detection unit 46 has a function of switching the operation of the heating unit 45. The operation rule is shown in FIG. That is, for the detected temperature fs (t) of the temperature detection unit 46, the operation of the heating unit 45 is switched using the operation switching set temperature Tth as a threshold value. That is, ON-OFF control is performed. In this embodiment, the temperature detection unit 46 performs switching control. However, even in a configuration in which the detection temperature is determined by the control unit and the power supply to the heating unit 45 is shut off, the temperature detection unit 46 is a thermostat. Alternatively, the temperature detection and the power shutdown may be performed at once.

  In the image forming apparatus PR including the image reading unit SC having such a configuration, it is desirable that the operation of the heating device 44 and the operation of the image forming apparatus PR are in an exclusive relationship. FIG. 19 shows operation timings of the image forming apparatus PR, the image reading unit SC, and the heating device 44.

  As can be seen from FIG. 19, in the state where the operation of the image forming apparatus PR is ON, the temperature f0 (t) of the image reading unit SC is high and no condensation occurs. Therefore, during this period, the operation of the heating device 44 is turned off. On the contrary, when the operation of the image forming apparatus is OFF, the temperature of the image reading unit SC is lowered, so that the operation of the heating device 44 is ON. In this configuration, since the power supply circuit configuration and the control configuration are simplified, a configuration that is sufficiently effective can be achieved without a large cost increase.

  The operation of the heating device 44 can be switched according to the operation of the temperature adjustment unit 16 in the first embodiment. That is, since the temperature adjustment unit 16 is installed in an environment where the heating device 44 is required, the operation of the heating unit 45 is switched using the temperature detection result of the temperature adjustment unit 16. Thus, an increase in cost can be avoided.

  Further, a connector 47 (FIG. 17) is provided in the power source / signal connection portion 36 (FIG. 10) of the temperature adjustment unit 16, and the power is supplied to the heating device 44 by connecting the connector 48 of the heating device 44 to the connector 47. It can also be configured as follows. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to operate the heating apparatus 44 by the power supply, signal line, and control of the said temperature adjustment unit 16 without preparing the power supply, signal line, and control for exclusive use of the heating apparatus 44, and as the whole apparatus The configuration can be simplified and the cost can be avoided.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) Since the image forming apparatus PR having the temperature adjustment unit 16 and the image reading unit SC is provided with means for heating at least one of the optical system forming members constituting the image reading unit, dew condensation is performed in the image reading unit SC. Can be avoided, and the occurrence of abnormal images caused by this condensation can be avoided.

2) Since the heating device 44 of the image reading unit SC has a unit configuration including the heating unit 45 and the temperature detection unit 46, it is possible to detect a temperature rise when the inside of the image reading unit SC is heated. At the same time, it is easy to attach to and detach from the image reading unit SC.

3) Since a plurality of types of units having different outputs from the heating unit 45 of the heating device 44 can be formed in the same shape, an appropriate unit of the heating device 44 is mounted according to the use environment of the image forming apparatus PR, and the optimum heat generation amount Can be heated. This makes it possible to avoid situations where the heating effect is insufficient or excessive.

4) An opening 49 that can be freely opened and closed is provided in the outline of the image reading unit SC, and the heating device 44 can be easily detached from the opening 49, so that workability can be improved.

5) Since the operation of the heating unit 45 can be switched according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 46, it is easy to start the operation in a situation where heating is necessary, and the operation of the heating unit 45 causes excessive heating. The situation can be avoided.

6) The heating device 44 operates only when the power of the image forming apparatus PR is cut off, and the heating unit 45 is turned on. Therefore, heating is performed only in a situation where the image forming apparatus PR that requires heating is cooled. It can be carried out.

7) Since the operation of the heating device 44 is synchronized with the temperature adjustment unit 16, the configuration relating to the operation of the heating device 44 and the temperature adjustment unit 16 can be simplified.

8) Since the power supply of the heating device 44 is supplied from the temperature adjustment unit 16, a power supply circuit dedicated to the heating device 44 is not required, and the heating device 44 can be controlled from the temperature adjustment unit 16, so that the configuration is simple. Can be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Intake part 13 Exhaust part 14 Airflow path 14a Airflow 15, 17 Bypass airflow path 15a, 17a Bypass airflow 16 Temperature adjustment unit 16a Humidity adjustment unit 16b Temperature / humidity adjustment unit 16-1 Outlet 16-2 Shaft support 18 Valve 18a Side plate 19 Opening 21 Outside air temperature adjusting unit 21a Outside air humidity adjusting unit 22 Temperature detecting unit 22a Humidity detecting unit 22b Temperature / humidity detecting unit 25 Exposure path 26 Air purifying unit 30 Process cartridge 30-1 Opening 33 Temperature sensor 35 Humidity sensor 44 Heating device 45 Heating unit 46 Temperature detection unit 47, 48 Connector PR Image forming device CV Operation cover SC Image reading unit

JP 2003-280472 A JP 2003-140533 A JP 2003-216007 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-323101 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-083153 Japanese Patent No. 0352573

Claims (1)

An optical unit that emits laser light for image formation; and
A photosensitive drum on which a latent image is formed by the laser beam;
A developing unit for forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum;
A belt transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a transfer member and then transfers the toner image from the transfer member to a sheet member;
In an image forming apparatus having an in-machine environment adjusting device for adjusting the in-machine environment,
The photosensitive drum and the developing unit are integrally formed as a process cartridge, and four process cartridges are arranged in a row in an oblique direction so as to form toner images of four different colors.
The optical unit is arranged in an inclined manner in line with the four process cartridges so as to form a latent image by irradiating each of the four photosensitive drums with the laser light,
The irradiation with the laser light is performed through a space that directly communicates with the surface of each photosensitive drum in each of the four process cartridges .
The in-flight environment adjusting device has an air flow path portion through which an air flow passes, and a fan motor that is provided to communicate with the air flow path portion and generates the air flow,
The air flow path portion is disposed between the image forming apparatus main body and the openable / closable operation cover so as to incline four openings communicating with a space that directly communicates with the surface of each of the photosensitive drums. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is supported and attached so as to be swingable with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Images